Five Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis will come together to form a regional school with two PreK-8 campuses as well as maintain one parish school after the end of the 2011-2012 school year, according to an Oct. 28 news release from the archdiocese.

The schools involved are Holy Trinity and St. John Vianney in South St. Paul; St. Joseph and St. Michael in West St. Paul; and St. Matthew in St. Paul.

Beginning in the fall of 2012, St. John Vianney will host the regional school’s South St. Paul campus and St. Michael will host the campus for St. Paul’s West Side and part of West St. Paul. The name of the new regional school will be determined by its board of directors, in consultation with stakeholders.

St. Joseph School in West St. Paul will remain as a parish school.

A regional school is one supported by multiple parish communities, and a parish school is primarily supported by one affiliated parish. Students are welcome at schools regardless of whether their families are members of an affiliated parish, the archdiocese said.

Consistent with plan

The changes will strengthen Catholic schools in this region of the archdiocese by making better use of financial, human and other resources, said Marty Frauenheim, archdiocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools. The plan is consistent with the archdiocese’s Strategic Plan, which calls for more collaboration and efficient use of resources among parishes and schools.

“Catholic school students in this area will have even more opportunities than before, with expanded language, technology, music, art, sports and extracurricular offerings,” Frauenheim said.

Affected families have received a letter from their school leaders and will continue to be engaged by leaders in the coming weeks and months to help them make the transition to the regional school for the next school year, the archdiocese said. There will be a common tuition schedule at the regional school and tuition assistance will continue to be made available.

Employees are also being informed about what this change could mean for them. Families with questions about any Catholic school are invited to call the Catholic Schools Hotline at 612-SCHOOLS (612) 724-6657.

In March 2011, a local task force made up of pastors, principals, parents and other stakeholders from the five schools began the shared resources discussion process that led to the regional school recommendation.

The pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe in St. Paul, Father Kevin Kenney, was also involved in the shared resources discussions and will serve on the board of the regional school. He will assist the Latino community with the needs and interests of their students.